Arsenal overturn Chelsea lead to maintain perfect Premier League start
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored as the reigning champions recovered from Morgan Rogers’ early goal to win 2-1.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in a Premier League derby, preserving a perfect start to their title defence and extending their league winning run to eight matches.
Chelsea took the lead through Morgan Rogers after 77 seconds, but Kai Havertz equalised before half-time against his former club. Martin Odegaard completed Arsenal’s comeback with the winner in the 50th minute.
The result gives Arsenal nine points from three matches, with one goal conceded. Alongside Manchester City, they are one of only two teams to have taken the maximum points available at this stage.
The performance also sharpened attention on Arsenal’s decision not to sign the elite forward they reportedly targeted during a summer transfer window in which they spent close to £200m. Chelsea reportedly spent about £349m since the end of last season, including £117m on Rogers.
Odegaard has scored three goals in four appearances this season, after scoring once in 36 appearances last term. Former Manchester United and England player Ashley Young told BBC Sport that the captain’s form would be important to Arsenal’s campaign, while former Premier League winner Chris Sutton said he could not see anyone stopping the club.
Those assessments remain early-season judgments, with larger tests ahead. Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign at Napoli on Wednesday before travelling to Sunderland for their next league match on Saturday.
